【The benefits of relying on the teacher】

【And also the Sutra of Showering the Tathagata’s Inconceivable Secret (Tathagatacintyaguhya-nirdesa-sutra) says: Sons and daughters of good lineage, rely upon, become emotionally closer to, serve, and venerate the guru with great respect. If you do so, your thought will be virtuous through hearing virtuous teachings, whereby your practice as well will be virtuous. Then, through creating virtuous karma and becoming virtuous, you will please your virtuous friends. You also will not bring suffering upon others or yourself…】

But when you are in the Saha world (i.e. Samsara), if you practice according to the teachings, not only will an adverse situation be unable to incite non-virtue from you, when an adverse situation arises, you can transform it to become a beneficial situation. This is something that is absolutely missing in the Pure Land. This is the real important aspect of being where we are.

Where do all these benefits come from? Hey, from relying on an excellent teacher! To rely on an excellent teacher, you must have the requisite characteristics. If you can do this, "You also will not bring suffering upon others or yourself". Why will you not bring sufferings? It is because you are in accordance with the teachings. What is the unique attribute of the teachings? It can purify your defilements and purify your afflictions. Afflictions and defilements are the source of all sufferings. If they are gone, of course you will not suffer and you will not cause others to suffer.

At that time, you will be truly "guarding others and yourself." That's when you are truly protecting yourself and others.